The Beginning

The seeds for Minocqua Winter Park were planted more than fifty years ago by a circle of friends. These “pioneers” discovered the exhilaration that comes with skiing amid the still landscape of Wisconsin’s North Woods. With each season their passion for the sport grew and they wanted to share the joy it inspired in them with others. By devoting many hours of labor and pooling their resources, soon a series of trails took shape followed by a modest downhill course. They called it Squirrel Hill. Just as Minocqua Winter Park is today, Squirrel Hill was a place where people can embrace the often long Wisconsin winters finding fellowship while skiing and other “silent sports” of the season. But, in the seventies, development of downhill ski resorts were on the rise as were associated costs to run them and Squirrel Hill was one of several operations to close.

Middle Years

The hills and trails weren’t silent for long. It wasn’t more than a year or two before a new group of old friends returned to Squirrel Hill. Several were sons and daughters of the original Squirrel Hill founders. For the next several years, the second generation of Squirrel Hill skiers continued the tradition set by their parents. Along with their growing families, they started their own ski club. An existing structure became the clubhouse. Members both paid for and performed the general upkeep all trail grooming. In 1981, the group formed the Lakeland Ski Touring Foundation Inc. The non-profit organization has operated and cared for Minocqua Winter Park for almost 30 years now. The park serves several thousand winter sports enthusiasts each year, making a significant contribution to the local economy.

Today

Minocqua Winter Park is a not-for-profit town park operated by the Lakeland Ski Touring Foundation.  Our mission is to provide a quality silent sport experience for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages through the protection and maintenance of our trail system.  

Location

From Hwy 51 in Minocqua, take Hwy 70 West.  Drive west on Hwy 70 six miles to Squirrel Lake Road.  Turn South and drive on Squirrel Lake Road six miles to Scotchman Lake Road. From Scotchman Lake Road, follow the signs and flags to the chalet.

Passes can be purchased in at the ticket window in the chalet.

Ski Patrol

Minocqua Winter Park is proud to provide skiers with an outstanding Nordic ski patrol.  Our volunteer patrollers are all certified National Ski Patrollers and volunteer their time to keep skiing conditions safe at Minocqua Winter Park.  All patrollers are trained to a level equivalent to basic EMT in outdoor care and rescue and are required to attend annual recertification courses to remain current on their training. 

If you are interested in becoming a member of the National Ski Patrol, please contact the Minocqua Winter Park office or drop us an email.

Chalet Cafe

Hungry after an invigorating ski?  Refuel at our Chalet Cafe.  Our cafe is open daily 9am-4pm serving hot and cold drinks, freshly baked cookies & muffins, sandwiches, wraps, and healthy treats.  

Minocqua Winter Park Staff

Look for these friendly faces around the Minocqua Winter Park chalet this season:

Keith Smith -Manager

Bryn Meyer-Nordic Center attendant

Roxie Ebert-Nordic Center attendant

Mary Dunphy-(Vol.)Nordic Center attendant

Jane Trotter-(Vol.)Nordic Center attendant

Linda Wrobel - Events Director

John Wrobel - I.T. Director

Dan Clausen - PSIA certified Ski Instructor & owner/operator of MWP Ski Shop

Shelly Richard - MWP Ski Shop Manager

Rick Goll -Hard-Wax Cafe Manager

Dave Sconzert - Head Groomer

Eric Twito - Groomer

Greg Krueger - Groomer

Betty Adams - Head Ski Patroller